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| EASING SANCTIONS | |
 September 17, 1999 
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| Redefining our relation with N. Korea | ||||||||||||||||||||
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In response, the Clinton administration appointed former Defense Secretary William Perry as special envoy to North Korea. This spring, Perry visited Pyongyang, the highest ranking U.S. official there since the Korean War. Though he did not meet with President Kim Jong Il, Perry did meet with several high-level officials.
SPENCER MICHELS: Many restrictions -- especially on technology and military supplies -- remain in place. The U.S. still considers North Korea a country that supports terrorism. Today's announcement is part of a larger North Korea framework recommended by Perry in a classified report. Perry briefed congressional leaders about his recommendations on Wednesday. |
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SPENCER
MICHELS: Nearly 50 years of sanctions against North Korea began when
that country invaded the South in 1950. The Korean War lasted three
years. But the sanctions have been in place ever since. Washington banned
most trade and investment activities between the countries. In 1994,
the two countries almost went to war over U.S. efforts to stop North
Korea from developing nuclear weapons. 
But
diplomatic efforts averted a conflict and led to an accord known as
the "Agreed Framework." The Americans, joined by Japan and
South Korea, agreed to provide North Korea with $5 billion dollars worth
of light water nuclear power reactors and energy supplies. In return,
Pyongyang said it would freeze its production of nuclear weapons at
one site, known as Yongbyon. But the agreement did not address North
Korea's missile program. In 1995, North Korea began suffering a prolonged
famine that eventually resulted in an estimated 2 million deaths. The
U.S. joined other countries in providing food and humanitarian aid, which
were not prohibited by the sanctions. 
Tensions
in the peninsula resurfaced a year ago August, when North Korea launched
a midrange missile over Japan, claiming it was testing satellite technology.
That raised American fears that North Korean missiles could hit American
shores. 
Still,
North Korea's missile program went ahead. Earlier this summer, intelligence
sources said the country was preparing to fire a long-range missile
that could reach Alaska or Hawaii. Perry's trip and subsequent months
of negotiation led to a deal finalized last week by U.S. and North Korean
negotiators meeting in Berlin. Pyongyang agreed to freeze test launches
of its long-range missiles and Washington agreed to lift what it called
"non sensitive" sanctions. The public announcement of the
deal came today in Washington.
MADELEINE
ALBRIGHT, U.S. Secretary of State: The United States is suspending restrictions
on certain categories of nonmilitary trade, financial transactions,
travel, and diplomatic contacts with North Korea. 
